Halifax "CashCard" Account Help Please!

tomd84

I got a halifax cashcard and when i got this card they told me it was impossible to go overdrawn, if i go over drawn it will just be "rejected", so when i got a letter this morning for a direct debit that said i was going to be charged £39 becuase there was not enough funds (i top up my phone via direct debit i though if there wasnt enough it would just be rejected like the rest) i was shocked, are they allowed to change this much? that is more then i currently earn a week and its christmas!

Any suggestions?
Thanks

Kilty_2

All banks have these charges if a direct debit bounces. You can claim the charges back though, see the other board on here.

regularsaver1

direct debit is not a shop transaction - are you confusing the two?

if you have a pre-arrangement for a direct and the funds are not there then you will be charged

how much was the transaction for? - if it was a shop type transaction some shops do not check the balance on the account under say £30 - meaning you could go overdrawn as a result of them not checking

so yes you can go overdrawn if the above happens

it sounds like this is your first charge, so have a word, they will usually refund

tom188

If it is a debit card transaction and there is no money in the account the transaction will be rejected.

If it is a standing order or direct debit you will be charged if there is insufficient money in the account. This is not the same as for a debit card.
Because the way direct debit works the bank will have agreed to pay the transaction in advance of it being taken from the account. If you then withdraw money they will be duty bound to pay. Hence this unauthorized overdraft and paid item charge.

The bank will probably refund you if you ask nicely, dont go the heavy handed way some people are suggesting to begin with.

Make sure you always have enough money in your account to cover any transactions due on your account.

dexters_mum_2

You might want to pop over to the reclaiming bank charges board for help about claiming your £39 back from Halifax and have a look at opening an account at another bank as they may close your account.

tom188

dexters_mum wrote:

You might want to pop over to the reclaiming bank charges board for help about claiming your £39 back from Halifax and have a look at opening an account at another bank as they may close your account.

As i said try the being nice to them bit first and not this sort of heavy handed approach. More likely to get a refund straight away then.

M_Thomson

tom188 wrote:

As i said try the being nice to them bit first and not this sort of heavy handed approach. More likely to get a refund straight away then.

Well done Tom188. It is nice to see someone with a bit of common sense post regarding charges and not cause someone grief by jumping on the "reclaim charges" bandwagon.

bengal-stripe

dexters_mum wrote:

You might want to pop over to the reclaiming bank charges board for help about claiming your £39 back from Halifax and have a look at opening an account at another bank as they may close your account.

Sledgehammer and nut come to mind, somehow.